Help could be on the way for that beleaguered secondary, though. Free-agent safety Quintin Mikell has been talking to the Panthers and a deal "could be done soon," Geoff Mosher of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reported Wednesday.

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Mikell's market had grown stale ostensibly due to his age (32) and the growing reluctance of NFL teams to spend money on in-the-box safeties at a time when coverage skills are in high demand.

Free safety Charles Godfrey is the only member of the Panthers' defensive backfield locked into a starting job. Special-teamer Haruki Nakamura was exposed as a starter last season, leading to first-team reps for undrafted rookie Robert Lester in spring practices. Mikell likely would slide right in as the starting strong safety if a contract agreement is reached.